Patrick Gamble

Grade

Draft Analysis:

6'5" Height

277LBS. Weight

Analysis

Strengths

Plus physical traits to play 5-technique with exceptionally long arms and big hands. Plays with adequate punch and shed ability at point of attack. Gets arm extension and slides down the line of scrimmage mirroring runner when able. Decent athlete. Shows ability to disengage and range down the line using his length to make a tackle. Has good pursuit speed and motor. Former defensive end who has begun to grasp technique needed to play inside. Able to get skinny into the gaps against zone plays. Plays on kick block unit. Blocked a kick against Florida State in 2015 that was recovered and returned for game-winning touchdown.

Weaknesses

Former basketball player who still carries that build. Will need more time in the weight room to add bulk to his frame -- especially in the lower half. Plays with a narrow base and inconsistent pad level diminishing contact balance. Can be overwhelmed by double teams and driven off of his spot. Need to get better at controlling blocker at the point of attack to man his gap. Pass rush gets plugged up when blockers get clean punch into his frame. Struggles to clear the punch and disengage as a pass rusher. Pass rush lacks a plan and workable counter moves.

Draft Projection

Round 7-PFA

Bottom Line

Gamble is a trait-based project who is coming off of a productive senior season but who has moderate production beyond that. While he needs to add more bulk, he has the length and athleticism that 3-4 teams will want to work with at the defensive end spot. While he's a late-rounder or priority free agent, he could find himself on a practice squad while teams continue to groom him and see how much additional growth they can coax out of him as a player.
-Lance Zierlein